Nature Elevated: Benefiting Native Ecosystems of the Rio de Flag Watershed
We want to hear from you as the watershed plan for the Rio de Flag is developed.
Please come join us for the third community Zoom event for the Rio de Flag watershed restoration plan:
Nature Elevated, where speakers Larry Stevens, Hannah Griscom, Paul Beier, Tom Whitham, and Max Taylor will present ideas and discuss the ecological communities of the Rio de Flag watershed
Register for the event by clicking on the poster below!!
The Explore the Watershed series is brought to you by the new Watershed Alliance for the Rio de Flag.
Learn more about the whole project here:
Join us for the Kickoff event Nov. 10 at 5:30pm: Understanding Our Changing Watershed
Please come join us at the kickoff event, Understanding Our Changing Watershed, learn about the watershed from a wide range of perspectives, and then provide your public input on the upcoming watershed restoration plan! Teaser: there will be a cool interactive map.
Register for Understanding Our Changing Watershed here: https://us02web.zoom.us/
Explore the Watershed brought to you by the new Watershed Alliance for the Rio de Flag. Learn more about the whole project here: watershedalliancefortherio.net
Parched: The Art of Water in the Southwest
This very cool art exhibit is on display and open to the public at the Center for the Arts, 2300 N. Ft Valley Rd. You can read more about the exhibit in an article that appeared in the Arizona Daily Sun on Sunday 11/1
Tune in to a virtual panel discussion with local water scientists on November 12 at 5 pm. Denielle Perry (one of our board members), Abe Springer, Colleen Cooley, and Julie Comnick explore the complex and conflicting issues surrounding water Here’s the Facebook post to get more information on the discussion or go to https://flagartscouncil.org/
Use this Zoom Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/
DamNation screening on November 12
You are invited to join the Society of Ecological Restoration NAU Student Association for a synchronous screening of DamNation and a virtual panel discussion with river restoration experts to follow on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 5:30-7:30pm MST.
DamNation is a documentary on the building and removal of dams in the USA. You can watch the trailer here.
The virtual panel discussion will include Jane Marks (NAU), Michael Bogan (UA), and Bridget Deemer (USGS) and will be held on zoom after the screening. Zoom link will be provided at the screening.
Register for the screening here! The link and password will be provided on the screen after you submit your registration. Make sure to save that information and log a few minutes before the screening begins.
Make a Difference Day October 31, 2020
Make a Difference Day October 19
Dr. Benjamin Ruddell “FloodAware, Citizen Science, and the Rio de Flag” Zoom meeting on June 4 at 6:00
We have had to cancel our in-person meetings this spring – but now we are back with a zoom meeting on June 4 at 6:00. Dr. Ben Ruddell, Associate Professor, School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, will be discussing a citizen science possibility on the Rio de Flag. Perhaps you have seen one of the stations with a water level marker and a sign about how to participate. Dr. Ruddell will explain how to take part in the study. Please join us on June 4.
It is a great time to be outside, about the safest place to be these days according to several studies. We encourage all to get outside on the Rio de Flag. It is especially beautiful now with the trees leafing out and abundant bird song. Last week I was walking the section in Coconino Estates and a string quartet was playing in a back yard, right next to the FUTS trail. It was sublime. But we have an added reason to be out on the Rio – taking part in citizen science. Beauty, exercise, birdsong, and science – the Rio has it all.
Information on how to participate in the zoom meeting will be sent to our members. If you would like to be in on the meeting but do not get an invitation, please send an email to deflagrio@gmail.com.
Spread the Word-Not the Weeds; Post-Museum Fire Treatment of Invasive Plants
Thursday March 5, at 6pm at the Montoya Center
A look at the cooperative project headed by the Arboretum and including the City, County, Museum, Natural Channel Design and private land owners.
Presented by Jan Busco, horticulturist, native plant expert and author
Jan has worked with native plants for more than three decades and is the curator of MNA’s gardens and grounds. She has written three books on western native plants including Native Plants for High-Elevation Western Gardens (Fulcrum Press 2010, 2004). This talk will be about a grant she received to prevent the spread of non-native invasive weeds on the watershed of the Rio de Flag adjacent to the Museum Fire. There will be opportunities to learn how to prevent the spread of invasive weeds and to participate in citizen science.
MNA Land Conservation
February 16, 2 pm
MNA Branger Chase Auditorium
Learn more about efforts to set aside 90 acres of MNA land through permanent conservation easements. So far, donors have been found to support the preservation of 36 acres, and the board members are actively seeking more conservation-minded donors for the remaining 54 acres. This public meeting will be held in the MNA Branigar-Chase Auditorium and is open to all.
With a commanding view of the San Francisco Peaks and the Dry Lake Hills, the nearly 90-acre tract of grasslands and ponderosa pine forest known as “Colton Meadows” has inherent value to people and wildlife. For many years, the MNA Board of Trustees has struggled with what to do with this property, which was bought in 1977 as an investment. While the land has an estimated market value of $3 million in Flagstaff’s current real estate market, the museum board and many members of the community feel the acreage has even more value as open space. The land is an important migration route for elk, a watershed, and is used by hikers, bikers and equestrians.
The board decided to pursue preserving the property by placing the land under conservation easements. In order to afford setting the land aside, MNA seeks donors willing to invest in preserving this land for our greater community.
So far, two donors have stepped forward, preserving parcels A and C. A binding conservation easement to protect the first 18-acres was signed on Oct. 4 and recorded with Coconino County. The easement prevents any building or tree clearing on the property. The only permitted uses are non-invasive research and trails, including specifically allowing for future trail improvements and easements for the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS).
The museum board is hopeful that now more donors will step forward to preserve the remaining 54 acres. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the board by sending an email to meadows@musnaz.org .
The Baseline Documentation Report can be viewed at: https://musnaz.org/wp-content/
uploads/2019/11/Parcel-C-
Baseline-Documentation-Report-07-25-19.pdf